Question about trading

17 years ago

I need some expert advice about trading cacti an succulents.

I made a trade with some one were I sent 3 epies..2 of them were cutting of the large section of the plant so not small leave sections..this section was about 3 inches across by about 3 inches tall, with a nice long new growth stem off the top that was probably a good 4 inches. Very well rootes with lots of roots. The 3rd was a very small cutting with small new growth but again was very well rooted. All epies were growing in a pot for at least the last 2 months maybe more.

What I got for the epies was 5, 1 inch across cobweb hen and chicks..for the 2 large epies and a couple red easter cactus cuttings(not rooted) for the 3rd epie. and as a bonus I got a couple white easter cactus cuttings. Thee are the cutting in my other post asking for help to root them as they are not doing so well.

Ok now here is my delema...all but 1 of the hen and chicks died of rot from over watering by the person that sent them to me..she stated in her email to me that she over watered them by accident and the lower leaves were mushy. Well yes they were very mushy they rotted the whole plants. Only one survived. So I asked for replacments.

I was told that my epies were not large cuttings and that large cuttings should be 6-8 inches! So she said that we are even and she would not replace the hen and chicks she sent me that were rotten. How is that even i got 1 H&C for my 2 very nice epie cuttings.

I am new to much of this and dont reall know what is considered a large epie ctting..I thought mine were very nice size and the roots were very well established with many roots.

So can some one tell me what is really a large cutting and what is reasonable to expect of me and also of others when I trade? Thank you for the help.

Mary

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Comments (7)

User
17 years ago
I'm not an expert, on here since '01; but can I suggest you not trade further until you read, hear, learn a bunch more.

I agree in thinking you got a raw deal. I think she should have replaced the rotted hens & chicks. She doesn't know succulents, or she would have known that lower leaves mushy will soon = death. Mush in succulents = rot & is not often or easily recovered from.

Epi cuttings I've received are 5-6" long. The Xmas cactus cuttings I see swapped tend to be 3-5 segments (leaves) long (to me 2 segments are iffy, 2 like on your Easter cactus).

I do a lot on the Hoya forum & we swap 4-6" cuttings, but more often the terms we tend to define are 2 node cuttings (the preferred starters for Hoyas), I'd even ask for a 2 node & 2 leaf minimums on Hoyas.

One might define these terms exactly this way, either however long or however many nodes. Maybe next time specify what you'd like OR what you have to offer (length/size wise), but since you're new that's understandable.

I'm a NYer who dated a Californian, we were both into succulents. I joked that I had to learn to beware what I admired out loud, my fella was VERY generous & would often give me cuttings of plants I admired. I had to learn the difference btwn my cuttings in NYC, the size of my hand & his cuttings in Calif, the length of my forearm -- that's a big difference, especially for an apartment and space limitations, whereas he grew outdoors in his yard.

Sorry you got burned. I'd read & study more about different plants before doing more swaps. Try a bookstore, general indoor gardening & succulent books. Buy materials small & cheap at box stores while you're learning.

Good luck!
prayerrock
Original Author
17 years ago
I dont think I need to stop swaping just because I am learning. I did order a nice book but the books dont tell you what a fair trade is..LOL

It seems like each person has their opinion on what is considered a nice size for cuttings and such. So I think you are right in that I should specify exactly what size I have and what I expect.

So lesson learned there...however I still think that rotten plants should be replaced and could not in good faith recommend a trader that wont.

Thank you for all you comments/advice:)

Mary
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Mentha
17 years ago
Having traded epies many times I'd be very disapointed if I did not get at least two or three cuttings 8-10 in long. I have gotten branches about 16-24 in long also. Do not send rooted epies, unless you KNOW you're going to get rooted back. It is just common courtesy to send at least two of everything traded, especially if it's not rooted. Do not send new growth either. You may have been screwed this time, but next time be more specific, ask for pictures of what you're getting while give pictures of what you're sending and don't be afraid to ask for more if you don't feel it's fair.
prayerrock
Original Author
17 years ago
Thabks for the info on epies I did not know that..I am not to familiar with them..these ones are ones I had gotten in a trade. One of my first trades and I decided I was not going that route so wanted to trade them. I know they are highly sought after and I thought since i got them like this and they have grown some since I got them that they were good trades.

I only have one epie left and it not for trade..LOL why not send new growth?

I will be more specific in my trades now for sure. I had one lady offer me succulent and crassula for postage today an while i would very much love that I could not get an answer on what exactly it was i would be getting..I kept getting told she would send me several succulents or several crassula..well thats nice bt i wanted to know what..LOL I ended p telling her I would pass, money does not go far these days and poastage is not cheap so I want to know what I am getting.

Thanks again.

Mary
User
17 years ago
Mary,

If that offer happened to be from Duffelbag, it's legit. Sounds like her kind of offer. If it's her, you'd be lucky indeed, she's a veteran plantswoman w/ a speciality in succulents & particularly Crassulas.

Also, I happen to know her personally, she's a friend & mentor & generous in sharing her plants & knowledge.
prayerrock
Original Author
17 years ago
No I wish it was her..lol does she also go by the name ladylove_grow?...I am sure it would have been nice its just that I dont know people very well yet and I try to be carful. I have done postage with both Keith and Tom here and got very nice plants but I have seen them post a lot and I know the reputation they have so I was ok with it.
User
17 years ago
No, she definately doesn't go by that name. Oh well.